SINGAPORE 60's: ANDY's POP MUSIC INFLUENCE IS MY PERSONAL MUSIC AND MEMORY TRAIL. PICTURES TELL STORIES BUT I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO YOU TUBE VIDEOS, AUDIO TRACKS OR IMAGES. THEY HAVE BEEN UPLOADED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES SO INFORM ME IF COPYRIGHTED AND THEY WILL BE DELETED. ANDY LIM (NOVEMBER, 2008).

Sunday, July 23, 2017

SSO @ The Botanic Gardens: Jason Lai Conducting ENCORE

Singapore Symphony Orchestra: 22 July 2017 Botanic Gardens

A Personal Experience About Concerts In The Parks:

An SSO Concert at the Botanic Gardens will always be a treat especially if it's a stone's throw away. But if the enthusiast for classical music is driving his car, then don't complain if there are no parking lots; unless the early bird comes at about 4 pm (concert starts at 6).A friend and I managed to squeeze into the last lot at the sheltered car park at Nassim Gate. It was a Saturday evening gift from above.

The coffee house (image) around the corner served our purpose since the Symphony Lake was another two minutes walk from there. But a fruit juice at the outlet was near $6.00 and a fizzy drink, $3.00. The 2-hour wait was comfortable as we managed 2 seats in air-conditioned comfort. These were the last seats available.The concert venue itself was fun. Perspiring with T-shirts and track pants on, both of us had no trouble getting grass space as we squatted on the right wing facing the stage. Because we were sitting on a slope, it was a balancing act throughout the show. So if you don't have nimble feet and acrobatic skills go further 'upstairs' near where Chopin is sitting with his wife. A better view and you can sit on the more level meadow. No trees behind. The deadly one crashed remember?

It was about 5.30 pm. Sun kept us steaming. But the greens, flora, whispering winds and chirpy birds kept the balance; it wasn't uncomfortable.The newspapers announced 10,000 persons came. It didn't look that many to me but the figure is possible. Sharp at 6 pm, handsome conductor Jason Lai, in a polo-T, jumped on the stage like the gymnast he was as he announced the evening's performance. He looked more like a fitness instructor. Fit as a fiddle? 😊 And sporting a whistle-thin moustache too.Meanwhile, two jets flew above us, drowning Mr Lai's short introduction. National Day coming mah!

The performance was superb! I came just to listen to excerpts from West Side Story and Ritual Fire Dance. But Morning Mood from Peer Gynt (Greg) just blossomed as the Singapore sun started to set. When Brahms was hardly a minute on, my temporary neighbours started chatting and peanut packets were crackling. First Youth had better attention but Maria and Tonight kept everyone hushed. Some Seniors were humming. (full programme below).

Meanwhile the people kept pouring in; in fact, they kept on coming even when the concert was about to end. Puzzling. One of the passers-by was heard shouting on his phone.

"Hey, where are you? I'm here, I'm here!" as he waved his hand in front of the crowd. The music was playing, Home.It was a short concert but SSO on stage, with all its Botanic Gardens challenges, sweaty T shirts and wet palms, was a joy to listen to.While walking to our car we bumped into my friend's old buddy. A member of the SSO he is. Pictures and phone numbers were exchanged.

If each one of us had taken along the rubbish we left back there and dumped them in the bins, the workers would have had a happier time the next morning.Thank you, Jason Lai, SSO, The Straits Times and the Botanic Gardens.

Outdoor concert, in my opinion, is not particularly popular in Singapore. See what happened to Architect Alfred Wong's River Valley Road Concert Theatre. It was demolished!

Too frequently external noises punctuate the music. How to enjoy music when suddenly a wild monkey screams? Alright, I suppose for an afternoon family picnic with music and occasional interruptions... haha.

West Side Story is a musical with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and conception and choreography by Jerome Robbins. It was inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet.Music and Songs:

I wish I could but I am such a lousy writer (a sorely lacking spot in my life, having invested my lifelong energy on what I see (photos!) and hear I would need an editor to go through anything I submit! I'd rather save the photographer for his blog😝.

I would be very interested in and look forward to reading the articles, but I think your articles are FUN and sure hope that the classical articles will not be boring...

If I go to Singapore, I would really love to meet Andy!Thanks again Henri!

Thank you for introducing this article on classical music at my favourite venue, the Botanical gardens ~ also for your engaging blog, it's amazing that it even exists!

I enjoy reliving the memories too, especially through the stories that Henry has shared! I am not one bit a writer, so I must apologise for not offering to contribute an article, at least for the moment.

However, if I am ever back in Singapore (the temperature is a huge deterrent for me!), I would definitely be interested in getting together to share a part of the history that has brought us together here.

I love John Keats' (1795-1821) To Hope, from his collection of poems under, Keats: Truth and Imagination. It's a book from my home library. He was well-known for poems like The Eve of St. Agnes, Ode To A Grecian Urn and others. He died at the very young age of 25. The hymn, Whispering Hope, another favourite of mine, was playing on YouTube and I was listening to the Haley Westenra's rendition. It was one of a number of songs composed by Septimus Winner (1827-1902). Jim Reeves made it famous in 1958. CLICK PIX

ANDY YOUNG

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JOHNNY HALLYDAY RIP 1943-2017.

He was one of the top stars in the 60's, followed Elvis' style and sang rockabilly numbers. He started off right and like so many singers then, followed The King impact. But what I like about Hallyday, as he grew in his own image, with his powerful voice, muscle-flexed stature, he became an original French rock star, not a rock-n-roll star. And he was outstanding - a man of his own before he died. CLICK PIX TO READ

CHRISTMAS WITH THE STYLERS 60's

Check out this home party where neighbours visit each other for a dance session with Singapore's most recorded band, The Stylers. Click Pix To Read

1985 VINYL RECORDING WONDERFUL ENCOUNTER: HE'S THE ONE

A group of late 60s and 70s Singapore musicians got together and recorded on Polygram ten songs in praise of God. It was, according to the sleeve back-cover, "a Gospel music adventure to spread His Word through a variety of popular music rhythms." CLICK PIX TO READ

CHRISTMAS SHOW REHEARSAL AT OCEAN PARK HOTEL 1960'S WITH WILMA TANG

We had our own well-known female vocalists too. I shared the same stage with WILMA TANG (image taken off a dance-ball magazine) when she sang at a charity dinner in the 60s. She was a hit those days as a professional singer and appeared regularly at the Ocean Park night club at East Coast Road, Singapore. CLICK PIX TO READ

CHRISTMAS TIME IS CHRIST TIME

A Passage from the Bible about why we celebrate Christmas. So read it carefully. CLICK PIX TO READ

7 - 10 PM. REMEMBER, REMEMBER 23RD DECEMBER

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH US. The concert, THE SILVER STRINGS with 4 other bands, will surprise and entertain both the older and younger generation as there is no better way to relive the local music scene! CLICK PIX TO READ.

AUSSIE 60'S POPS CHECK OUT

Steve wanted to interview some band boys so I managed the help of Mr Michael Bangar (professional guitarist playing rhythm for Silver Strings) to speak to him. We had our first session and a few days later, a larger group came. Steve brought with him some vinyl records. I list the artistes and songs covered on both Side A and B. All artistes were from Australia: CLICK PIX

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2,600 VIEWS+ LOCOMOTION: TAKE A RIDE WITH THEM. (THIS POSTING IS A READERS' RECORD HIGH)

Charlie Yap is a kind gentleman who, like a few friends, sends me WhatsApp posters and videos. Although he plays bass, I never realised he is the present band leader of this popular local group that is currently active in our clubs. When I asked him if he could tell me about his band, he willingly obliged. CLICK PIX TO READ

ANDY's 60's MUSIC IS

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